"Stop Pretending" is a song by JJ Heller that speaks to the emotions of longing, frustration, and concern for someone who is struggling to express their true feelings. The lyrics convey the narrator's desire for the person they care about to be authentic and open about their emotions, rather than putting on a false front. The song begins with the narrator lamenting the countless times they have cried for this person, wishing that their feelings were more apparent. However, along the way, it has become difficult for them to communicate their true emotions. The person they care about dismisses the idea of openly expressing emotions as they believe it's not the way to deal with life, love, and relationships. The narrator disagrees, emphasizing that life and love are being wasted by avoiding vulnerability. They urge the person to allow themselves to cry when they're sad and not feel obligated to laugh when things aren't funny. The song encourages them to acknowledge and embrace their true feelings rather than ignoring or pretending they don't exist, even when the circumstances are challenging or not ideal. The lyrics also express the narrator's fear for this person and their belief that, eventually, they will experience brokenness. However, they hold onto hope for the possibility of healing, starting with embracing their emotions and being real with themselves and others. The song ultimately implores the person to stop pretending and recognize that it's okay to be vulnerable, to express their true emotions, and to seek genuine connections in life and love.
